The sportjet power rating is at the pump, 175 sportjet is 175hp at the pump. A good point made if you suck something into the pump the outboard is definately easier to get to. I have had my sportjet for 2 years and have not had any problems with it plugging. I had a stompgrate added which does a good job of clearing the collected debris from the intake. Hope this helps.

Doubletake